Legal Advisor - Compliance and Risk

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Retirement and medical aid

Wellness programs

Job summary

Placements24 presents an exciting opportunity for a Legal Advisor to focus on Compliance and Risk Management with our client, a leading financial services institution headquartered in Pretoria. This hybrid role combines on-site collaboration in Pretoria with remote work for focused tasks.

The ideal candidate is admitted as an Attorney or Advocate in South Africa, with 5+ years in compliance or financial regulatory law, including AML/KYC and POPIA knowledge.

Qualifications

• Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on compliance with financial services regulations including FAIS, FICA, POPIA, and AML/CFT frameworks.
• Develop, implement, and review compliance policies and procedures to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Assess and advise on legal and regulatory risks for new products, services, and business initiatives.
• Assist in regulatory examinations and inquiries, liaising with regulatory bodies as necessary.
• Conduct legal training for staff on compliance and risk-related matters.
• Review and advise on contracts and third-party agreements from a compliance and risk perspective.
• Support risk management framework development and implementation.
• Stay informed about evolving regulatory landscapes and advise the business on potential impacts.

Job description

About the RoleOur client, a prominent financial services institution operating from Pretoria, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Legal Advisor to focus on Compliance and Risk Management. This hybrid role requires a balance of on-site engagement in our Pretoria headquarters for collaborative sessions and remote flexibility for focused work. You will be responsible for advising the business on regulatory compliance, risk mitigation strategies, and the development of robust internal controls. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of financial services regulations, anti-money laundering (AML), know-your-customer (KYC) requirements, and data privacy laws. This is an excellent opportunity for a legal professional looking to make a significant impact in a critical area of a leading financial entity. You will work closely with compliance officers, business units, and senior management to ensure adherence to legal and ethical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on compliance with relevant financial services regulations, including but not limited to, FAIS, FICA, POPIA, and AML/CFT frameworks.
• Develop, implement, and review compliance policies and procedures to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Assess and advise on legal and regulatory risks associated with new products, services, and business initiatives.
• Assist in the management of regulatory examinations and inquiries, liaising with regulatory bodies as necessary.
• Conduct legal training for staff on compliance and risk-related matters.
• Investigate and advise on potential compliance breaches and misconduct.
• Review and advise on contracts and third-party agreements from a compliance and risk perspective.
• Support the development and implementation of robust risk management frameworks.
• Stay informed about evolving regulatory landscapes and proactively advise the business on potential impacts.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the company's compliance and risk management programs.

Requirements

• Admitted as an Attorney or Advocate in South Africa.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on compliance, risk management, or financial regulatory law, preferably within the financial services sector.
• In-depth knowledge of South African financial services legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Familiarity with AML/CFT, KYC, and data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA) is essential.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid work environment, demonstrating self-discipline and time management skills.
• Experience in risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential issues.
• Must be able to attend the office in Pretoria as required by the hybrid model.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work in a challenging and rewarding field.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Exposure to a broad range of legal and compliance issues within the financial sector.
• Supportive team environment.
• Contribution towards retirement and medical aid.
• Wellness programs and employee assistance services.